‘Time to pass the torch’: With Durbin not seeking reelection, here’s who could run.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin will not seek reelection next year, setting off what’s likely to be a lively skirmish to replace him.

Durbin, the Senate’s Democratic whip and one of the longest-serving senators in state history, announced his decision Wednesday, saying “it’s time to pass the torch.”

“The decision of whether to run for reelection has not been easy. I truly love the job of being a United States senator,” the 80-year-old Durbin said in a video statement.

“The people of Illinois have honored me with this responsibility longer than anyone elected to the Senate in our state’s history. I am truly grateful,” he added.

Durbin’s move opens up what will be a barn burner of a primary to replace him. Possible Democratic contenders are Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and members of Illinois’ congressional delegation, including U.S. Reps. Sean Casten of Downers Grove, Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg and Lauren Underwood of Naperville.

Potential Republican candidates include former Lake County sheriff Mark Curran, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood of Peoria, and former Illinois National Committeeman Richard Porter of Northfield.

When contacted, staff for Casten, Giannoulias, Krishnamoorthi and Stratton had no comment on political plans Wednesday, but issued statements honoring Durbin.

“History will judge you as one of the finest statesmen in America’s history,” Giannoulias said.

Krishnamoorthi praised the senator’s “exemplary career of public service as well as the profound and lasting positive impact he’s had on Illinois families and our nation.”

“Sen. Durbin has given Illinois a lifetime of principled leadership — grounded in decency, driven by purpose, and always guided by the people he served,” Stratton said.

In recent weeks, Casten has held town hall meetings in downstate congressional districts represented by Republicans.

Like Casten, Krishnamoorthi has traveled outside his district for public events in recent weeks. On Thursday, he'll appear in Chicago, the Bloomington area and Urbana to highlight the impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs on Illinois' small businesses and families.

Despite relatively weak Republican opposition in his last few elections, Krishnamoorthi has been a fundraising machine for years, leading many to wonder if he's planning a run at higher office. His campaign committee raised about $3 million in the first quarter of 2025 and ended March with more than $19.4 million in the bank.

Republicans are also eager to get a seat at the table; the last Illinois GOP senator was Mark Kirk, who served until 2017.

Porter confirmed he was “looking at statewide offices, including the Senate.

“Illinois is a center-right state with the most extreme gerrymandering in the nation. Republicans have a better shot running for statewide offices because that extreme Democrat gerrymandering isn’t in play. Republicans will assemble a slate of serious candidates for every office,” Porter said.

Curran, who was Durbin's Republican opponent in 2020, said he was surprised Durbin is walking away from the Senate. Curran, who got about 39% of the vote in 2020, said he's unsure if he'll run again.

“Statewide office is a huge undertaking and Illinois is still dark blue,” he said.

The LaHood campaign issued a statement noting, “Sen. Durbin’s retirement was long overdue. As the 2026 election approaches, Congressman LaHood remains focused on delivering conservative leadership for all Illinoisans that offers a clear alternative to the failed liberal policies driving families and businesses out of Illinois.”

After Durbin’s election to the Senate in 1996, the “kid from East St. Louis” rose to a leadership role, holding positions as chair of the Judiciary Committee and as whip, the second-highest position in the chamber.

Among his most memorable actions included voting against the Iraq War in 2002. Durbin also championed the DREAM Act, offering a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, sponsored legislation to end smoking on planes when he was a congressman, and steered the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

But he didn’t forget his constituents. The avuncular but tough downstater fought on behalf of suburbanites, showing up at forums in northwest Cook County to protest the merger of CN and EJ&E Railways in 2008, and working to secure monitoring of freight traffic.

When a saboteur torched the basement of Chicago Center air traffic control center in Aurora on Sept. 26, 2014, bringing flights in the U.S. to a shrieking halt, Durbin was critical of security lapses under the Obama administration and called for an inquiry.

Durbin also used his considerable clout to push for funding to improve O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Union Station.

And, he took time in March 2008 to bring a U.S. flag that flew over the Capitol to World War II veteran Jim Zale of Mundelein, who landed on a Normandy beach on D-Day.

Durbin noted Wednesday that “right now, the challenges facing our country are historic and unprecedented. The threats to our democracy and way of life are very real, and I can assure you that I will do everything in my power to fight for Illinois and the future of our country every day of my remaining time in the Senate.”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider of Highland Park on Wednesday praised Durbin for fighting to deliver better lives for Illinois families.

“Thank you, Senator Durbin, for your decades of love, service, and dedication to the people of Illinois,” Schneider said in a texted statement.

Meanwhile, Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi said in a statement that “Illinois families have a long-overdue chance to turn the page and elect a leader who will fight for lower taxes, less government spending, true support for Israel and our national and economic security.”